Crimping machine

ABSTRACT

A press has one or more dies and a work feed mechanism controlled by one die so that a change of dies adjusts the feed mechanism to the new dies and the work piece to be fed to the new dies. There is also a movable control to determine the point of contact of the feed mechanism and the work pieces. The feed mechanism is readily releasable to permit removal of the work pieces at any time.

United States Patent Cheh et a].

[54] CRIMPING MACHINE [72] Inventors Ernest L. Cheh, Darien; Wade R. Bowden,

Jr., Milford; James D. Anderson, Norwalk, all of Conn.

[73] Assignee: Burndy Corporation [22] Filed:

[21] AppLNo; 772,940

Nov. 4, 1968 s21 u.s.( ..72/419 [51 1nt.Cl ..B2ld43/00 [58] Field of Search ..l98/221, 222, 24; 83/247, 278; 72/419, 421; 221/25, 71, 270

[151 3,661,029 51 May 9,1972

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,709,354 4/1929 Kohnle ..83/278 2,720,994 10/1955 Arvidson ..83/247 X Primary Examiner-Edward A. Sroka Attorney-Howard S. Rieter [5 7] 7 ABSTRACT A press has one or more dies and a work feed mechanism controlled by one die so that a change of dies adjusts the feed mechanism to the new dies and thework piece to be fed to the new dies. There is also a movable control to determine the point of contact of the feed mechanism and the work pieces. The feed mechanism is readily releasable to permit removal of the work pieces at any time.

15 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMAY 9|972 13,661,029

sum 1 UF 8 [/vVAWlv/i. ERNEST CHEH WADE mumENJR JAMES HNDERwN PATENTEDMAY 91972 3,661,029

\ 0F PIS raw 5550 FINGE'R BRHKE REL 77.55

RE mR/v PLUS DWELL I F0 CR/MP POSITION CRIMPING MACHINE This invention relates broadly to a press and its work feed mechanism. More particularly, my invention relates to a press of the type to be used for crimping connectors to conductors such as wires.

in a press of the particular class, a wire is inserted into the barrel of a connector, when the connector is over a die, and the barrel is then deformed or crimped in order to secure the wire to the connector. Each connector comprises a barrel which is in the form of a sleeve, the barrel extending from a further part of the connector known as a terminal. These terminal portions of the connectors may take the form of a ring or fork or conceivably some other shape, and in manufacturing the connectors commercially, the terminal and the barrel of each connector are formed of one piece of metal. It is customary further to form the connectors from a single long strip of metal with the connectors remaining attached to one another by a very narrow strip of metal known in the art as a cut-off strip or cut-off lug.

A long string of connectors, thus connected by a series of cut-off strips, and wound on a drum if desired, is fed into a press and each connector is moved into a position where its barrel is crimped into gripping relation to a wire that is generally manually inserted into the barrel. The resulting connector and wire assembly is then severed from the strip of connectors by the severing of the cut-off strip therebetween, leaving each connector free to drop from the press. Generally, prior to the crimping operation, a plastic insulating sleeve is inserted about the barrel of each connector. The plastic sleeve extends at one end beyond the crimping barrel of the connector, and forms what is termed a shroud. The shroud portion is thus adapted to cover a short part of the wire crimped to the connector barrel and lying outwardly of the barrel.

Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate and understand that there are numerous forms of connectors, and numerous sizes of these forms of connectors. Since the crimping operation to which 1 have alluded requires that each connector and its plastic sleeve be accurately positioned relatively to a die, and that it be fed to the die together with a long strip of connectors held together by the cut-off strips to which I have referred, and that the cut-off strips be cut-off, it is obvious that each connector must have a particular die and a feed particularly adapted for its size and shape. Thus, where the terminal is relatively small in size, not only will a particular die be required for the barrel crimping, but the feed to that die will have to be adapted for the size of the terminal. Again, if a relatively large terminal is utilized, it is obvious that there must be a longer feed of each connector to the die in order to compensate for the larger terminal portion. There may similarly be variations in the barrel portions, as is apparent.

It therefore is rather obvious that where a press is to be set for the crimping of a connector, it is necessary not only to supply dies for crimping and cut-off, but also to set the feed mechanism so that it will be accurate both for feeding the connectors and the barrels relatively to the crimping die, and also relatively to the cut-off mechanism for cutting off the cut-off strips and thereby severing the connectors from one another. So far as I am aware, the setting of the feed mechanism in presses of the type used today, requires a rather considerable operation, that in turn requires the services of a highly skilled mechanic. Moreover, the changeover of a press of the prior art from crimping one connector to the crimping of a new connector may require the substitution of a number of parts as well as complex adjustment of other parts.

As a feature of my invention, I contribute a press in which the mechanism requires an extremely simple and easy adjustment to adapt it for feeding a new type of connector to the crimping die. Beyond this, all that is required in my new machine, in order to adapt it to crimp a new connector, is the installation of a new crimping die, and possibly a cut-ofi die. It is not necessary to substitute a number of new parts. Upon making thereafter a simple movement of a very simple device, the machine will operate effectively with the new dies to crimp connectors and to sever the connectors from a long strip of connectors.

As a basic feature of the invention, the crimping die itself is adapted to control the length of the connector feed stroke, so that therefore, the mere changeover of one die for another, will automatically so set the feed stroke, that a connector will be fed to the crimping die in proper position and will thereafter be fed accurately to a cut-off die for severance.

Even more particularly, 1 utilize a yielding feed mechanism for feeding the connectors to the crimping die, so that the die, by merely physically limiting the movement of the feed mechanism through the yielding means, controls the feed stroke most effectively.

As a further particular feature of the invention, the movement of the feed mechanism is controlled by a simple device that automatically positions the feed finger that l utilize, so that it will contact a connector barrel and then move that barrel the distance that is determined by the die itself. It can therefore be seen that merely through the substitution of the die required for a new connector to be fed and crimped, and by a simple adjustment of the feed mechanism, 1 can readily change my crimping press from the crimping of one connector to an entirely difierent connector.

As I have generally indicated, it is a further feature of the invention that I am also able to use the feed mechanism and the control of the feed mechanism by the crimping die, for effectively positioning the connectors relatively to a cut-off die for cutting each connector from the connector strip by the severance of the cut-off lugs between the connectors. The cutoff die, as conceived by me, is extremely simple, and is made in direct conformity with the crimping die. Therefore, the mere placing of a crimping die in the machine, and the assembly in the machine of the cut-off die, automatically places the cut-off lugs between the connector terminals accurately relatively to the cut-off die. In other words, I have contributed the concept of the utilization of two simple dies, one for crimping, and one for cut-off; with the dies, because of their relationship, adapted to control the feed not only to the crimping die but also to the cut-off die.

As an important concept of my invention that has already been outlined generally, the barrels of the connectors being crimped in my machine are the elements through which the controls required by the machine are exercised. As a particular additional feature of this part of the invention, l utilize yielding means through which one end portion of each connector crimping barrel is maintained against a limit shoulder or stop, so that the transverse or endwise position of a strip of connectors is maintained effectively relatively to the press and the die as well as the cut-off mechanism. In this way, I need concern myself only with controlling the linear feed of the connectors in one direction toward the crimping die.

Those skilled in the art will now appreciate that because of the control mechanism that l have developed as part of my invention and which I shall describe in detail later, a relatively unskilled operator can readily insert a new die, move a control piece such as an index button, and thereby adapt the machine for crimping an entirely different connector than that for which it was previously set up. Therefore, it is not necessary for an operator to summon a skilled machine set-up man each time that a changeover must be made from the crimping of one connector to the crimping of another connector. In a busy factory, this can obviously contribute great savings.

As a further feature of my invention through which the use of skilled machine set-up men is made unnecessary, I make it extremely simple for the operator to remove from the machine one drum formed by a strip of connectors that is being crimped, and to substitute a different strip. Thus, by the movement of a simple device forming part of my concept, the feed mechanism is readily moved to a non-feeding position, releasing a strip of connectors for easy removal. Thereafter, it is possible to substitute an entirely new strip without the aid of a skilled machine set-up man.

As a detailed feature of this portion of the invention, 1 have developed, for a press of the particular class, a yielding feed mechanism that can readily be adapted to release the feed finger or other device acting against the connector barrel, so

that the removal of the barrel is possible. as l have already outlined.

Further, I have, in a machine of the class described, arranged for a timed application of a brake mechanism, so that the operation of the press will be halted in a position where one strip of joined connectors can readily be removed and a second strip placed in proper position. In the usual one revolution press of the prior art, a continuous braking mechanism is utilized, so that when the usual clutch of the one revolution type used in the machine has completed its operation, the brake will be effective. However, brakes of the particular class are not dependable and some overrun and underrun is possible. As I have already outlined it is extremely important in a machine of the class to which I have made my contribution, that the operator be in a position, without skill, to substitute one type of connector for another. Therefore, I have contributed a brake mechanism that will control the press so that it will be held in a particular position after completion of a crimping and severing operation, so as to make possible the removal of one strip of connectors, and the substitution of another strip.

Because of the extremely novel arrangement of the crimping and severing means, I am able to bring about effective feeding of the connectors to the crimping and severing means, together with operation of the crimping and severing means during one reciprocating cycle of the plunger or piston of my press. As part of my arrangement I operate the severing means by a cam in a most novel manner, thereby coordinating the crimping and severing operations, so as to make possible certain of the contributions to which I have made reference, and which will be described in detail below.

As a further particular feature of my invention, l have arranged, as I have already indicated generally, to release the feed mechanism so that it may move to an initial position allowing a strip of connectors in the machine to be removed for replacement by a strip of different connectors that are to be crimped. It is a feature of this portion of my invention, that when l arrange to release the feed mechanism, I must also effect the breaking of the electrical circuit of the machine, so that the machine cannot be operated through another work cycle. It is an even further particular feature of this part of my invention, that a cover for the machine can only be released when the feed mechanism has been released for movement back to its initial position and the electrical circuit of the I machine is conditioned as I have just set forth. Obviously, this feature is part of my concept through which I make it extremely easy and safe for an unskilled operator to make the simple changes required in order to adapt my machine for crimping different connectors.

l have thus outlined rather broadly the more important features of my invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that my contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of my invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception on which my disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures for carrying out the several purposes of my invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions as do not depart from the spirit and scope of my invention, in order to prevent the appropriation of my invention by those skilled in the art.

Referring now to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a machine embodying my invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view in isometric illustration important operating elements of the machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a further isometric view showing in exploded form additional operating parts of the machine;

FIG. 4 is a plan view and partial section showing particularly the parts for moving the feed slide;

FIG. 5 is a section taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view in isometric showing a control part for determing the relationship between the relatively moving parts of the upper half of the crimping die;

FIG. 7 illustrates in perspective two connectors held together by a severing strip or lug, the barrel of each connector being covered by a plastic sleeve so that the two connectors are ready for crimping relatively to a conductor wire;

FIG. 8 shows a form of connector different from that of FIG. 7, also in condition for operation by the machine;

FIG. 9 shows a further connector that may be crimped through the utilization of my machine, the wire to which the connector barrel is to be crimped being shown in FIG. 9 inserted into the barrel;

FIG. 10 is an exploded view in isometric showing in detail the parts for operating and controlling the feed slide and the feed finger;

FIG. 11 is a section taken along line 1 1-11 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 12 is a partial section taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 1 1;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. 11;

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate the parts of FIG. 12 in two additional positions;

FIG. 16 is a chart showing the relationship of various parts of the machine during each operating cycle thereof;

FIG. 17 is a further chart that is helpful in understanding the relationships of the various parts of the machine during each operating cycle.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, I show in FIG. 7 one type of connector adapted to be crimped in my machine. This connector is designated generally by reference numeral 10, and it will be noted that a severing lug 11 joins the connectors, so that a band of connectors may be placed in the machine for operation therein. The barrel portion of the connector 10 is designated by reference numeral 12 and it is covered by a plastic sleeve 13. In FIG. 8, I' show a different form of connector in which the actual contact portion is in the form of a U having lugs. The barrel 12 is smaller than that of FIG. 7. In FIG. 9, I show still a further form of connector that may be crimped in my machine. In FIG. 9, I show also a conductor 14 that has been inserted into the barrel 15 of the connector, with the braided wire 16 of the conductor extending beyond the barrel prior to the crimping operation as is standard in the art. It is obvious that in view of the various forms connectors may take, there is a tremendous need for a machine of the type shown in this application, and the operation of whichand the contributions of which I have earlier outlined.

The machine of my invention is of the one revolution type as I indicated earlier. Thus, when the operator closes an elec tric circuit, by any standard switch, the solonoid 17 seen in FIG. 2, operates linkage 18 connected by a rod 19 to a lever 20 for actuating a clutch 21 through one revolution. This mechanism is standard in the art, and for that reason will not be shown in detail nor described in detail. In common with one revolution presses of the particular type, my machine employs a heavy fly wheel 22 driven by an electric motor (not shown) through a belt 23. Upon engagement of the clutch 21, the fly wheel 22 will drive the main drive shaft 24 of the machine through the clutch for one revolution. This main drive shaft, through a suitable crank 25, shown well also in FIG. 1, actuates a connecting rod 26 for imparting vertical motion to a press piston or a plunger 27 the lower part of which is probably best illustrated in FIG. 5. The plunger 27 naturally carries with it the upper half of an operating die for crimping the connectors, this upper half coacting with a stationairy die, as is standard in the art and as will be described in detail hereinafter.

Referring now again to FIG. 2, a cam 28 is shown fixed to the shaft 24. This cam is termed a feed cam, and it is adapted, through a lever 29 and a follower roller 30 mounted on the lever 29, to pivot the lever on a pivot shaft 31 so as to move the spring compressing link 32, the upper bifurcated end 33 of which is pivoted to the lever 29. The link 32 is in the form of a sleeve and mounted within the sleeve is a spring 34 pressing against the upper end of a rod 35. When the link 32 is moved downwardly by lever 29, it obviously compresses the spring 34 against the upper end of the rod 35, and forces the rod downwardly. In other words, the rod 35 is driven yieldingly by the spring 34. A bifurcated arm 36 is pivoted at 37 to the rod 35 at one end thereof, and at its other end is integral with a lever 38 pivoted at 39 to the machine. A bifurcated link 40 is pivoted at 41 to the lower end of the lever 38 as seen in FIGS. 2 and 4. Link 40 is formed with a pair of lugs 42 that coact with a pin 43 integral with a plunger 44. The plunger 44 is also seen in FIG. 4 where it is shown slidably mounted with its pin 43 projecting to the left for coaction with the lugs 42 of the bifurcated link 40. In FIG. 4 there is also shown the lower end of the lever 38 between the plates of the bifurcated link 40.

A spring 45 extends between a plate 47a of the machine frame and a pin 47 fixed to the plunger 44 as seen in FIG. 4. It is the function of the spring 45 to pull the plunger 44 to the left in FIG. 2 and upwardly in FIG. 4. Obviously also, pivoted movement of the lever 38 counterclockwise will push the plunger 44 to the right in FIG. 2 against the tension exerted by the spring 45.

The end of the plunger 44, when moved to the right in FIG. 2, acts against the surface 48 ofa lever 49 pivoted at 50 to the machine body. This lever 49 is probably best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 10 to which reference should be made. It will be noted that the lever 49 has one bifurcated arm forming a slot 51 that is adapted to coact with a pin 52 carried by the ears 53 of a feed slide 54. A spring 55 is through a pin 56 secured at one of its ends to the lever 49 and at its other end to a lug 57 integral with the machine. Obviously the spring 55 tends to rotate the lever 49 clockwise on its pivot 50 and resists rotation of the lever by the plunger 44. Also, it will be obvious that with the plunger 44 moving to the left in FIG. 2, the spring 55 will rotate the lever 49 clockwise so that it will move the feed slide to the left in FIGS. 4 and 10. This control ofthe feed slide by the spring 55 is of considerable importance in my machine and will be referred to in detail later.

The feed finger to which I referred earlier in this application, is designated by reference numeral 58 and it is pivoted at pivot 59 to the feed slide 54 as best shown in FIGS. 10, 12, 14 and 15. A tension spring 60 is connected between the feed finger 58 and a pin 61 carried by the feed slide 54, for rotating the feed finger counterclockwise as is well seen in the several figures to which reference has been made. A cam pin 62 is carried by the feed finger 58, this cam pin 62 coacting with a cam 63 shown well in FIG. 10. The cam 63 is mounted for sliding movement in the machine at one side of the feed finger 58, as probably best illustrated in FIG. 11. A lug 64 secured to the cam 63 lies in a slot 65 in a slide piece 67 that is adapted for sliding movement by a thumb piece 68. A spring 69, as best illustrated in FIG. 11, bears against the finger piece 68 so as to control its motion. An arrow A on the slide 67 facilitates the positioning of the slide 67 relatively to indicia 70 best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 10 for the purpose to be referred to presently.

In FIG. 12 of the drawings, the feed slide 54 is shown in its initial position, this being the position to which it is moved by lever 49 under the influence of the spring 55 when the plunger 44 is moved by the spring 45 to follow the retractive motion of the bifurcated lever 40 and the ears 42 that normally act against the pin 43 of the plunger 44. With the feed slide in the position shown in FIG. 12, the cam pin 62 coacts with the under surface 63a of the cam 63. This holds the feed finger 58 in its position shown in FIG. 12, and with its end feed surface 58a out of the path of the plastic covered barrels of the strip of connectors 10 also shown in FIG. 12. This strip of connectors has earlier been fed into the machine, the connectors being held in proper relation to various parts of the machine as will be emphasized hereinafter. Of course, the connectors are joined by the several lugs 11, as seen in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 and may therefor be moved efiectively as a strip by the movement of the feed surface 58a of the feed finger 58, as will appear presently.

As the feed slide 54 and the feed finger 58 are moved to the right from the position of FIG. 12 by operation of the lever 49, it is obvious that the cam pin 62 will move from the position of FIG. 12 to the position of FIG. 14 relatively to cam 63. In FIG. 14 it will be seen that the feed surface 58a of the finger 58 has contacted one of the plastic covered barrels 12 of a connector and is in a position to move that connector to the right from the position of FIG. 14 to the position to the position of FIG. 15. In FIG. 15 the lower half of a crimping die is designated by reference numeral 71. It will be noted in FIG. 15 that the surface 72 of the feed finger 58 has contacted the surface 71a of the die half 71 whereby to prevent any further movement to the right of the finger 58. Because the feed finger 58, and the feed slide 54 are moved to the position of FIG. 15 through the action of the spring 34 (FIG. 2), a stopping of the movement of the finger 58 by the surface 71a will merely act to bring about the compression of spring 34.

In other words, because the feed slide 54 is moved by yielding means, it is possible to control the movement of the feed finger 58 through the utilization of the surface 71a. Therefore, by merely substituting one die for another, with the surface 71a occupying a predetermined position, it is possible to control the length of the feed movement of the feed finger 58 by the feed slide 54. Also, by particularly positioning the cam 63, it is possible to predetermine the point where the feed finger 58 will move from the position of FIG. 12 to the position of FIG. 14 into contact with a connector barrel. As was noted earlier, the cam 63 is slidable by the thumb piece 68, utilizing the indicia 70 and arrow A for locating the cam 63, all in accordance with requirements determined by the particular connector that is to be crimped. In other words, through the utilization of the cam 63, I am able to determine the length of feed of the connectors by determining the point of engagement of the connectors by the surface 58a of the feed finger 58. I am able to determine the distance the connectors will be moved by the feed finger 58 through utilization of a control surface 71a of the die.

The die half 71 is readily replaceable in the machine by any die that is required, and this may be done very simply through the use of a fastening screw 75 (FIGS. 14 and 15). The operator need then merely know that when a particular die is to be utilized in connection with a particular connector. It then becomes necessary to place the sliding cam 63 into a particular position through the use of the finger piece 68. Actually, the die can be stamped with this information.

The upper half of the die is designated generally by reference numeral 76 and is probably best seen in isometric in FIG. 3 and also in section in FIG. 5. There it will be noted that the die 76 has an internal relatively sliding portion 77, the sliding relationship between the two parts 76 and 77 being controlled by a control cam 78 best seen in FIGS. 4 and 6. The particular construction of the upper half of the die illustrated, forms the subject matter of a separate application. It is merely necessary to note here, that the parts 76 and 77 will be actuated by the downward movement by the piston 27 to coact with the lower half 71 of the die. In this action, the part 77 will have some movement relatively to the part 76, the two parts being urged in opposed directions by a spring 79 (FIG. 5). The amount of relative motion will be controlled by the sliding of the part 78 all as is set forth in my other application. For the purpose of this application it is merely necessary to appreciate that when the piston is operated by connecting rod 26 through the main operating shaft 24 it will, in particular relation to the feed mechanism, bring about the crimping of a connector. The motion of the piston 27 will also being about a severing of a connecting lug 11 in each cycle of operation of the piston.

As was already indicated broadly, it is an important feature of my invention, that the severing of the lugs 11 from the connectors 10, take place under the control of the feed finger 58 that feeds the connectors into position for crimping. Therefore, by merely constructing each cut-off die or lug-severing die so that it will relate properly to the die half 71, it is possible to feed the connectors for crimping and also for lug severing, through the utilization of the surface 71a of the die half 71 and the sliding cam 63. Therefore, an operator need merely apply a new severing die and a new crimping die half 71, move the cam 62 to an effective position, and my machine will operate to feed, crimp and sever the connectors from one another without further adjustment.

The severing die of my machine is best illustrated in isometric in FIG. 3 where it is shown in exploded relation to the remainder of the machine and also assembled in phantom. It will not be described in detail because its particular form is not important relatively to my invention. Its mode of actuation by a cam is important as will be emphasized. The base of the severing die I use is designated by reference numeral 80 and pivoted to this base at 81 is a lever 82 having a forward cutting or severing portion 83 operating in a standard manner. The upper surface of the lever 82 is cut away at 84 for coaction with a cam 85 (FIG. that is pivoted at 86 on a bell crank lever 87 that is itself pivoted at 88 to the machine. The bell crank lever 87 carries at the upper end of one arm a roller 89 that is adapted to be contacted by a cam surface 90 on a plunger 91 that is mounted for movement together with the plate 270 of the piston 27, all as best illustrated in FIG. 5. It is obvious that as the plunger 91 moves downwardly to the position of FIG. 5, it contacts the roller 89 so as to rotate the bell crank 87, moving the cam 85 downwardly against the surface 84. This obviously moves the lever 82 so as to bring the severing surface 83 of the lever 82 into position to cut a lug 11 whereby to separate the end connector from the next connector.

The movement of the lever 82 upwardly back to an initial position shown in FIG. 3 may be contributed by a spring that is not shown. To ensure its return, it is also controlled through contact of a downwardly extending rod 92 having an ear 93 that moves with the piston 27. Thus, upward movement of the piston 27 will positively restore lever 82 to its position of FIG. 3 shown in solid lines, by contact of car 93 with a bracket 82a fixed to lever 82.

It is naturally obvious that many means may be utilized for holding the severing die in the machine, and I prefer to use a plate 94 held in position by a screw stud 94a all as is well seen in FIG. 3. In order to facilitate insertion and removal of the severing die, it is necessary to rotate the cam 85 out of its position of FIG. 5. This is accomplished by pinning a small handle 95 to the shaft 86 through which the cam 85 is pivoted to the bell crank lever 87. Therefore, simply by rotating the handle 95, cam 85 may be moved to an inoperative position allowing insertion and removal of the severing die assembly.

In FIG. 1, I show rather clearly just how a long strip of connectors is placed in operative relation to the machine. In that figure, a drum D is shown mounted for rotation on a shaft 96, the strip of connectors extending from the drum D downwardly over a guide pulley 97 or the like and then horrizontally in the machine itself.

In FIG. 3, I show just how the connectors are fed into position relatively to the machine. Thus, it will be seen there that a cam surface 98 is adapted to be contacted by the end surface of the plastic sleeve of a connector of the type shown in FIG. 7. The cam 98 will move the connector I into the position shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, so that its end surface is now against the inner surface 99 of a pressure plate from which cam 98 extends. The surface 99 is part of the U-shaped pressure member 100 mounted on a control base 101 and pressed to the right in FIGS. 11 and 13 by a spring 102. The control base 101 has a control surface 103 against which one end surface of the barrel of each connector is pressed by pressure member 99. The connectors are therefore well controlled by cooperation between the control base 101 and the surface 99. This holds each connector in proper and effective relationship to the feed finger 58 as is also best seen in FIGS. 11 and 13.

It will be recalled that as one contribution of my invention, I make it possible for the operator to remove from the machine at any time, one strip of connectors, and to substitute a different strip, together with different dies and difierent lug severing assemblies. I have now described just how the severing die may readily be removed and inserted, and it is obvious that the two crimping die halves are readily assembled and disassembled from the machine, more or less in a conventional manner. The controlling die surface 710 is automatically assembled in the machine by the positioning of the lower die half 71 and thereafter controls the feeding of the connectors relative to both the crimping die and the severing die assembly.

As will be explained later, the machine is adapted to be brought to a stop through operation of a brake, after severence of a lug connecting a crimped connector with the next connector awaiting the crimping action of the piston. At this point of the operating cycle of the machine, the feed finger 58 is in the position of FIG. 15 where it is obvious its forwardly extending feed surface portion 58a is in obstructing relation to the movement of the strip of connectors outwardly of the machine. The feed finger 58 is held in this position by the feed slide 54 through the influence of the lever 49, best illustrated in FIG. 10. The lever 49 is in turn held in this position, against the force of the spring 55, by the plunger 44 which, in turn, tends to move away from the lever 49 by action of its spring 45, but is held against such movement by the link 40 and lugs 42 coacting with pin 43. Let us consider that in FIG. 2, the lever 38 through the lugs 42 has through the pin 43 moved the plunger 44 so as to position the lever 49 to hold the feed slide 54 in the full feed position of FIG. 15. It is obvious that if the bifurcated lever 40 were now rotated on its axis 41 relatively to the lever 38, the lugs 42 would be withdrawn from the pin 43, and both the plunger 44 and the lever 49 would be moved by the springs 45 and 55 so as to bring the feed slide 54 back to its initial or non-feeding position illustrated in FIG. 12. There, the portion 580 of the feed finger 58 is not in the path of the connectors and the connectors may be readily removed.

Such operation of the bifurcated link 40 is brought about through the utilization of a vertical bar shown in FIG. 2. This bar is formed with a slot 111 coacting with a cross pin 112 passing through the two plates forming the bifurcated link 40. Part 110 is connected with a portion 113 of a crank rod 114 rotatably mounted in the machine and adapted for such rotation by a finger piece 115. A spring 116 acts to press the part 110 downwardly into its position of FIG. 2 and tends to rotate the rod 1 14 so as to hold finger piece in the position of FIG. 2. Obviously, rotation of the finger piece 1 15 in FIG. 2 will act to raise the part 110 upwardly and therefore through the pin 112, rotate the bifurcated link 40 on its axis 41 relatively to the lever 38. This will bring the lugs 42 away from the pin 43 and allow the plunger 44 to move to the left in FIG. 2, allowing therefore clockwise rotation of the lever 49 which in turn will cause the feed slide 54 to move from its position of FIG. 15 to its initial position of FIG. 12, where the surface 580 of the feed finger 58 no longer obstructs outward movement of the series of connectors 10 from the machine. It is obvious therefore, that at all times the operator may through a very simple movement of the finger piece 115 bring about the release of the connectors for removal from the machine and the simple insertion thereafter of a new series of connectors. Then, a mere setting of the control cam 63 by the finger piece or button 68, will in combination with the control exercised by the new die 71, condition the machine for effective operation.

As a safety feature of my invention, I utilize rotation of the shaft 114 to operate a simple microswitch that is embodied in the machine, this microswitch acting to break all electrical circuits so that no operation of the machine is then possible. As a still further feature of this part of the invention, I utilize a cover for the machine that is locked in position by a detent controlled by the rod 114. Thus, by simple rotation of the finger piece 1 15, not only is the feed mechanism released, but the cover for the machine is opened, and the electric circuit for operating the machine is broken. Naturally, this means that the operator can in no way damage the machine, the machine being completely inoperative when its cover has been removed. The cover is itself shown only in outline at 120 in FIG. 1 and a detent is shown diagramatically at 121. The microswitch is designated S in FIG. 1. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the cover may take any form and that the detent may take any particular form that is desired, all in accordance with the basic concept that I have contributed.

Referring now once again to FIG. 2, I utilize a brake disc 125 secured integrally on the shaft 24 for rotation with the shaft. Brake shoes 126 are mounted for coaction with the brake disc, and are normally pressed against the brake disc by a spring 127, best illustrated in FIG. 1. For releasing the brake disc 125 and the shaft 24 from the braking effect of the brake shoes 126, I use a cam 128 fixed to a shaft 129 that is controlled by a cam roller 130, in turn controlled by a braking cam 131 integral with shaft 24 and having a camming depression 132. It is obvious that as the shaft 24 rotates, the cam 131 will in turn rotate, and will through depression 132 formed on its surface, actuate the roller 130 so as to bring about braking or release of the shaft 24. The configuration of the cam 131, and its relation to the shaft 24, is such that the brake will be applied immediately after the severing and removal of a lug 11, so as to release a connector that has already been crimped. At this point it becomes possible to release a strip of connectors for the insertion of a new strip as was set forth in detail. In other words, a strip is always removable when the brake is applied. Conversely it is the accurate application of the brake that makes possible the positioning of the parts of the machine so that a strip of connectors may be removed after the end connector is released.

If removal is not required, the operator merely inserts a new conductor wire 14, as shown in FIG. 9, into the connector awaiting crimping action. The operator then closes the circuit of the solonoid 17 (FIG. 2) for bringing about a one revolution operation of the clutch 21, so that the machine goes through a further crimping and cutting operation before the brake is again applied. It will be well to emphasize that the relationship between the cutting and the crimping operations, both of which are effected by the movement of the piston 27, is effectively controlled by the cam surface 90 of the plunger 91 as best illustrated in FIG. 5, and to which reference has been made.

In FIGS. 16 and 17, I show in chart form the relationship of the various operations of the machine. Thus, reference to FIG. 16 will show that the feed finger 58 feeds the connectors durin g a very short portion of the machine cycle, the remainder of the cycle of operation bringing about a movement of the feed finger to an initial position where it is held by a dwell on the feed cam until moved forward yieldingly through the spring 34, and the various levers, all as has been set forth.

The brake cam 131 of course holds the brake in release position during the greater part of the rotation of the operating shaft. It will be noted that the shearing operation is carried on during the last portion of the cycle and just prior to the locking action of the brake. Thus, the machine is locked in its final position at the completion of the shearing stroke to make possible the removal of the strip of connectors. This has been set forth in considerable detail because it is part of the basic concept of my invention in that it makes possible the ready changeover of my machine for coaction with difierent connectors, without requiring the services of skilled machine setters.

Of course, the crimping die will move with the piston 27, and will bring about the crimping of a connector barrel to a conductor as required, and will position the upper half of the crimping die away from the lower half of the crimping die at the completion of the shearing operation, when the brake is applied. In this way, the crimping die will in no way obstruct the removal of a strip of connectors.

In FIG. 17, the rest position of the piston is indicated; in its relation to a 360 rotation of the shaft. I have also indicated in FIG. 17 the full crimping position, the shearing position, and the position of operation of the brake.

We do believe that those skilled in the art will now appreciate the very considerable advantages of my invention.

We now claim:

1. In a machine of the class described adapted to accept various combinations of difierent movable and fixed dies-.for

deforming various different work pieces therebetween, means for securing a fixed die in fixed position in said machine for accepting a particular work piece to be fed to the working surface of said fixed die, a control surface on said fixed die particularly positioned relatively to the said working surface of said die in accordance with the particular work piece to be worked by said die, a feed finger mounted for movement in said machine, means for moving said feed finger to feed a work piece to said fixed die, a feed control surface for controlling the movement of said feed finger adapted to coact with said control surface of said die, and said control surface of said die being so particularly positioned relatively to the working surface of said die as to coact with said feed control surface to determine the movement of said feed finger so that it feeds the work piece accurately into position on said working surface, whereby the feed finger through coaction of said control surface of a die and said feed control surface will feed different work pieces accurately to any one of a plurality of different dies fixed in said machine and having particularly related control and working surfaces.

2. In a combination of claim 1, the feature that the work piece is a connector having a barrel into which a conductor is crimped by action of said die, and also a terminal with a series of said connectors held as an integral strip by cut-off strips extending between connector terminals, the feeding of one connector towards said die by contact of said finger with the barrel of the connector feeding the entire strip of connectors because of said cut-ofi strips, and a severing die so dimensioned and positioned relatively to said first die that each feed movement of said feed finger as controlled by said first die accurately positions a cut-off strip relatively to said severing die so that said connectors are first crimped at said first die and then severed from said integral strips.

3. In the combination of claim 1, the feature that said control surface of said die coacts with said feed control surface to stop the work piece feed movement of said feed finger with the work piece correctly positioned on said working surface.

4. In the combination of claim 3, the feature of additional control means relatively to which said feed finger moves for effecting motion thereof in a direction other than said feed direction to determine the work engaging position of said feed finger.

5. In the combination of claim 1, the feature that said feed finger is mounted for compound motion and that said control surface of said die stops the motion of said finger in a feed direction relatively to said die.

6. In the combination of claim 5, the feature that during said compound movement said finger moves toward a work contacting position, and that a feed control means controls the movement of said feed finger toward said work contacting position and determines the feed path thereof relatively to said die.

7. In a combination of claim 6, the feature that the work piece is a connector having a barrel into which a conductor is crimped by action of said die, and also a terminal with a series of said connectors held as an integral strip by cut-off strips extending between connector terminals, the feeding of one connector towards said die by contact of said finger with the barrel of the connector feeding the entire strip of connectors because of said cut-off strips, and a severing die so dimensioned and positioned relatively to said first die that each feed movement of said feed finger as controlled by said first die accurately positions a cut-off strip relatively to said severing die so that said connectors are first crimped at said first die and then severed from said integral strips.

8. In the combination of claim 1, the feature that said feed control surface for said feed finger is integral with said feed finger and that the control surface of said die coacts with said .feed control surface for stopping the movement of said finger to position the work pieces in operative relation to the working surface of said die, said finger being movable by yielding means to permit said stop action by said control surface of said die.

9. In the combination of claim 8, means for releasing said feed finger from said yielding means so that said feed finger is movable relatively to said yielding means to an initial position.

10. A method for controlling the feed stroke of a feed element in a press or the like so that the feed element will coact efiectively with difl'erent work pieces and a series of different size dies having different working surfaces required for said different work pieces, that comprises so mounting and controlling the feed element that its movement in a work feeding direction is stopped by contact between control means for said feed element and a control surface formed and particularly positioned on each of said dies in predetermined relation to the working surface of the die,

11. In the combination of claim 10, the feature of moving said feed element in a non-feeding direction during its feed stroke whereby to urge it against a work piece, and varying the non-feeding path in accordance with the sizes of the work pieces.

l2. in a combination of the class described, a die having a control surface, a feed finger, feed means for moving said feed finger from an initial position toward a final work positioning position, adjustable control means relatively to which said feed finger moves while moved by said feed means between said two positions for effecting particular movement of said feed finger into contact with a work piece at a point determined by said control means, whereby through the adjustment of said control means the contact of said feed finger with a work piece is controlled, and said feed finger striking said control surface of said die when said feed finger is at its final work positioning position so as to stop its feed movement, whereby through said die surface and said adjustable control means said feed finger will feed and position effectively different work pieces relatively to different dies.

13. In the combination of claim 12, the feature that said feed finger is pivoted on a spring actuated reciprocating slide and is pivotally movable relatively to said slide by a cam constituting said adjustable control means as said slide moves in a feed direction, the position of the cam determining the point in the path of movement of said slide where the finger thereon is moved relatively to the slide to engage a work piece awaiting movement to said die.

14. In the combination of claim 13, the feature that said cam controls also the movement of the feed finger upon reverse movement of said slide whereby said finger is once again predisposed for movement to engage a second work piece.

15. In a combination of the class described a die mounting for mounting any one of a series of dies each of which is adapted for a different size work piece, each of said dies having a feed control surface, a combined feed and indexing finger for moving a work piece into working position relatively to a die on said mounting, means for moving said finger in a feeding direction, and means whereby said die control surface of each die controls the movement of said finger relatively to said die so that the work piece will be moved to working position relatively to said die. 

1. In a machine of the class described adapted to accept various combinations of different movable and fixed dies for deforming various different work pieces therebetween, means for securing a fixed die in fixed position in said machine for accepting a particular work piece to be fed to the working surface of said fixed die, a control surface on said fixed die particularly positioned relatively to the said working surface of said die in accordance with the particular work piece to be worked by said die, a feed finger mounted for movement in said machine, means for moving said feed finger to feed a work piece to said fixed die, a feed control surface for controlling the movement of said feed finger adapted to coact with said control surface of said die, and said control surface of said die being so particularly positioned relatively to the working surface of said die as to coact with said feed control surface to determine the movement of said feed finger so that it feeds the work piece accurately into position on said working surface, whereby the feed finger through coaction of said control surface of a die and said feed control surface will feed different work pieces accurately to any one of a plurality of different dies fixed in said machine and having particularly related control and working surfaces.
 2. In a combination of claim 1, the feature that the work piece is a connector having a barrel into which a conductor is crimped by action of said die, and also a terminal with a series of said connectors held as an integral strip by cut-off strips extending between connector terminals, the feeding of one connector towards said die by contact of said finger with the barrel of the connector feeding the entire strip of connectors because of said cut-off strips, and a severing die so dimensioned and positioned relatively to said first die that each feed movement of said feed finger as controlled by said first die accurately positions a cut-off strip relatively to said severing die so that said connectors are first crimped at said first die and then severed from said integral strips.
 3. In the combination of claim 1, the feature that said control surface of said die coacts with said feed control surface to stop the work piece feed movement of said feed finger with the work piece correctly positioned on said working surface.
 4. In the combination of claim 3, the feature of additional control means relatively to which said feed finger moves for effecting motion thereof in a direction other than said feed direction to determine the work engaging position of said feed finger.
 5. In the combination of claim 1, the feature that said feed finger is mounted for compound motion and that said control surface of said die stops the motion of said finger in a feed direction relatively to said die.
 6. In the combination of claim 5, the feature that during said compound movement said finger moves toward a work contacting position, and that a feed control means controls the movement of said feed finger toward said work contacting position and determines the feed path thereof relatively to said die.
 7. In a combination of claim 6, the feature that the work piece is a connector having a barrel into which a conductor is crimped by action of said die, and also a terminal with a series of said connectors held as an integral strip by cut-off strips extending between connector terminals, the feeding of one connector towards said die by contact of said finger with the barrel of the connector feeding the entire strip of connectors because of said cut-off strips, and a severing die so dimensioned and Positioned relatively to said first die that each feed movement of said feed finger as controlled by said first die accurately positions a cut-off strip relatively to said severing die so that said connectors are first crimped at said first die and then severed from said integral strips.
 8. In the combination of claim 1, the feature that said feed control surface for said feed finger is integral with said feed finger and that the control surface of said die coacts with said feed control surface for stopping the movement of said finger to position the work pieces in operative relation to the working surface of said die, said finger being movable by yielding means to permit said stop action by said control surface of said die.
 9. In the combination of claim 8, means for releasing said feed finger from said yielding means so that said feed finger is movable relatively to said yielding means to an initial position.
 10. A method for controlling the feed stroke of a feed element in a press or the like so that the feed element will coact effectively with different work pieces and a series of different size dies having different working surfaces required for said different work pieces, that comprises so mounting and controlling the feed element that its movement in a work feeding direction is stopped by contact between control means for said feed element and a control surface formed and particularly positioned on each of said dies in predetermined relation to the working surface of the die.
 11. In the combination of claim 10, the feature of moving said feed element in a non-feeding direction during its feed stroke whereby to urge it against a work piece, and varying the non-feeding path in accordance with the sizes of the work pieces.
 12. In a combination of the class described, a die having a control surface, a feed finger, feed means for moving said feed finger from an initial position toward a final work positioning position, adjustable control means relatively to which said feed finger moves while moved by said feed means between said two positions for effecting particular movement of said feed finger into contact with a work piece at a point determined by said control means, whereby through the adjustment of said control means the contact of said feed finger with a work piece is controlled, and said feed finger striking said control surface of said die when said feed finger is at its final work positioning position so as to stop its feed movement, whereby through said die surface and said adjustable control means said feed finger will feed and position effectively different work pieces relatively to different dies.
 13. In the combination of claim 12, the feature that said feed finger is pivoted on a spring actuated reciprocating slide and is pivotally movable relatively to said slide by a cam constituting said adjustable control means as said slide moves in a feed direction, the position of the cam determining the point in the path of movement of said slide where the finger thereon is moved relatively to the slide to engage a work piece awaiting movement to said die.
 14. In the combination of claim 13, the feature that said cam controls also the movement of the feed finger upon reverse movement of said slide whereby said finger is once again predisposed for movement to engage a second work piece.
 15. In a combination of the class described a die mounting for mounting any one of a series of dies each of which is adapted for a different size work piece, each of said dies having a feed control surface, a combined feed and indexing finger for moving a work piece into working position relatively to a die on said mounting, means for moving said finger in a feeding direction, and means whereby said die control surface of each die controls the movement of said finger relatively to said die so that the work piece will be moved to working position relatively to said die. 